Playa del Carmen in August

August is hot, muggy and wetter as the month goes on. Highs are 90°F (32°C), the sea is 84°F (29°C) and the chance of a wet day is 39% to 46%. The busiest stretch of hurricane season starts around mid-August.

August at a glance

Temperature	90°F (32°C) by day, 72°F (22°C) at night
Sea temperature	84°F (29°C)
Rain	3.5 to 4.4 in per sliding 31-day period, 39% to 46% chance of a wet day
Humidity	Muggy on 100% of days (dew point measure)
Sargassum (typical)	Often still heavy. Amounts usually start to ease after July.
Hurricane season	In the season. The busiest stretch starts around mid-August.
Crowds	Moderate. Mexican families are on school holiday for most of the month.
Best for	Hot beach days, warm water and afternoons at the rooftop pool.

Long-term averages, not a forecast. A range spans the month, low to high. Climate: Weather Spark (Cozumel and Cancun airport records plus NASA MERRA-2 data, 1980 to 2016).

Weather

In August, daytime highs are 90°F (32°C) and nights are 72°F (22°C). Weather Spark's average rainfall is 3.5 to 4.4 in per sliding 31-day period, and the chance of a wet day (at least 0.04 in of rain) is 39% to 46%. The sea is 84°F (29°C). On Weather Spark's dew point measure, 100% of days are muggy.

August is as hot as July, with highs around 90°F, rarely below 86°F or above 93°F. Muggy days are close to 100%.

It gets wetter through the month. The chance of a wet day climbs from 39% to 46%, and the sliding 31-day rainfall goes from 3.5 in to 4.4 in.

Sea and beach

Sargassum is often still heavy in August, and amounts usually start to ease after July. This is a typical pattern, not a forecast, and it changes by beach and by day.

The Atlantic hurricane season is under way, and the busiest stretch begins around mid-August. NOAA says 78% of tropical-storm days and 96% of major-hurricane days fall between August and October, and SEMARNAT names Quintana Roo among the states most affected from August to October. Check forecasts before you travel and consider travel insurance. Whale shark swimming off Isla Mujeres and Holbox is open to September 17.

What is on in August

School summer holiday. For reference, the 2026-2027 school year started on Monday, August 31, 2026, so the summer holiday ran through the end of August. The start date for the 2027-2028 year is not published yet. (latest edition)

Crowds and rates

August is moderate. Mexican families are on school holiday for most of the month.

See dates and rates

What to pack

Quick-dry clothes, a rain jacket, a waterproof phone pouch, sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent.

Plan August

Hot and wet suits time in the water or under cover. A few places to start.

Questions

Is August a good time to visit Playa del Carmen?

It suits travelers who want warm water (84°F (29°C)) and can be flexible with dates. It is hot (90°F (32°C)), muggy and wet, and the busiest part of hurricane season begins in mid-August, so check the forecast before you go.

Is it hurricane season in Playa del Carmen in August?

Yes. The season runs June 1 to November 30, with most activity from mid-August to mid-October (NOAA National Hurricane Center).

Is there sargassum in Playa del Carmen in August?

Often, though amounts usually ease after July. It varies by beach and by day, so check the state's sargassum traffic light before you go.

How warm is the sea in August?

About 84°F (29°C) (Weather Spark), close to the warmest of the year. September is the warmest month at 84°F (29°C).

Sources

Every figure on this page comes from the sources below. Climate numbers are long-term averages from one source for all twelve months. Sargassum is described as a typical pattern and is never a forecast.